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Computational Modeling and Systems Biology of Drug Abuse |
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Neuroscience Center Conference Rooms A1-A2
NIDA Organizer: Meeting Purpose and Intent:Mathematical modeling is a relatively new but rapidly developing area of substance abuse research, providing researchers with additional dynamical dimension in both epidemiological and biological areas. In epidemiology, modeling allows scientists to simulate the consequences of various treatment and prevention scenarios, while in biology, modeling allows us to describe and simulate complex neurophysiologic processes. The purpose of the meeting was to showcase the spectrum of modeling approaches and to discuss their application to solve real-world problems in drug abuse. The symposium was aimed at fostering dialogue and collaborations between NIDA and computational scientists working in both epidemiological and biological areas of substance abuse and addiction. During the symposium several modeling examples were presented, including models describing Injecting Drug Users (IDU) networks, ethnography of drug dealerÐdrug user interaction, neurocomputational models that relate decision making to neurotransmitter interaction, control theory models of addiction, reinforcement learning models of the transition from experimental use to addiction, and applications to clinical trials. Brief Discussion of Meeting Outcome:Participants were asked to consider several points of discussion:
Two related program announcements were also brought to the attention of the attendees:
General Discussion - The meeting concluded with a broad discussion of the most pressing questions facing researchers. The major challenge of this type of research is the question of how to bring together researchers who can generate data in particular systems with those who have mathematical expertise in modeling. Another challenge is the translation of modeling results into applicable conclusions. Meetings are a first step in introducing the field to the concepts and advantages of modeling. Suggestions for future meetings included both: focused and broad content. Broad meetings are needed to synchronize terminology and concepts, and to facilitate cross-discipline collaboration. Tightly focused meetings are needed to concentrate on particular systems, or have breakout groups to discuss modeling in 1) biological systems, 2) behavioral paradigms, 3) genetic analysis, 4) risk factors, 5) prevention, 6) treatment, or other areas pertinent to substance abuse. A public resource for available computational models and data in addiction would be a welcomed development. Brief Description of Resulting Publications: Meeting organizers are discussing the possibility of engaging a journal editor to produce a special edition on modeling, and to include the presentations from this meeting.
Participant list (PDF Format, 80kb), (Word Format, 160kb) |
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